ENS

A decentralized naming system on Ethereum that maps human-readable names to blockchain addresses and other resources.

What is ENS?

The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a decentralized, blockchain-based naming system built on the Ethereum network that translates complex Ethereum addresses into simple, human-readable names, such as “john.eth.” This simplifies interactions with digital assets by allowing users to send transactions or interact with smart contracts using memorable names instead of long, hexadecimal addresses (e.g., 0x1234…). ENS enhances user experience, reduces errors, and improves accessibility for Ethereum-based applications.

Technically, ENS operates through a central smart contract known as the ENS registry, defined in Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP-137). The registry maintains a mapping of domain names (e.g., “example.eth”) to their owners and resolvers, which are contracts that translate names into associated data, such as Ethereum addresses, IPFS content hashes, or other metadata. Users can register .eth domains, set resolvers, and configure records to link their names to specific addresses or services. ENS supports secure, trustless operations, as it is fully decentralized and governed by smart contracts.

ENS is widely used for sending and receiving digital assets, accessing decentralized websites, and simplifying interactions with decentralized applications (dApps). It is integrated with wallets like MetaMask and services like Uniswap, and its domains are managed through the ENS app at ens.domains. The system’s reliance on Ethereum ensures security and immutability, making it a critical infrastructure component for the Ethereum ecosystem.